Feeling That Is Danced! Gabriela Galette

Tango alert! Any of you, Beautiful People, who are not inflamed by this most famous Argentinian product, passion transformed into music, feeling that is danced, might as well scroll all the way down to the recipe. But wait! Give it a try, won’t you?

“You can dance love, rage, happiness, pleasure, every mood. The tango is not a dance to demonstrate ability but rather an interpretation of feeling. It is not just moving your feet and posturing. The tango is Argentine” (Oscar “Cacho” Dante, renowned tango master).

When I first met Dr Gabriela Moreno, a lovely lady and an accomplished psychologist, and heard that she, like myself, was a confirmed chocoholic, my first impulse was to make her my triple chocolate Morena cake (click here for recipe). Then I found out that she had diabetes. Not only sugar itself, but any fruit or berries with high sugar content were out of question. That was a challenge, and I have never yet seen a challenge I wouldn’t want to meet. Then she told me she was from Argentina, and to me, not only “tango is Argentina,” but Argentina means tango.

This is Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Oblivion, performed with all the sultry passion this fiery music deserves. Born in Argentina at the end of 19th century, tango was immediately banned by the church as immoral. The ban was enforced until the coup of 1930, when tango, considered a populist dance, gained popularity. Tango clubs, Milongas, mushroomed. According to the legend included in the musical “Evita,” followed by the eponymous film, teenage Eva, illegitimate daughter of plantation owner Duarte, ran away to Buenos Aires with a tango dancer and met her future husband Juan Peron at one of those clubs. It makes a steamy story, but it is far from truth. Eva Duarte really was an illegitimate child who grew up in dire poverty but had a dream of becoming an actress. When she ran away to the capital, at the age of 15, she did forge an acting career for herself, eventually having her own radio show. It is at a fundraiser sponsored by Juan Peron, then Minister of Labor, to which she was invited as a popular radio personality, that they met, fell in love, and soon married.

With all due respect to Madonna who starred in the movie (and all her fans), I have chosen to share with you, Beautiful People, this rendition by Patti LuPone, who played Eva Peron in the original Broadway musical. The real Eva was a devoted political activist who organized female voters and tirelessly worked on behalf of sick, poor, and disenfranchised. Argentina did cry for her heroine, when Evita passed away at the age of 33. Today, in greater Buenos Aires, there still exists an Evita City (Cuidad Evita), built by her foundation for working class people, designed to resemble her profile in an aerial view. Evita died, but tango continued its triumphal march across countries and cultures.

Germany: Astor Piazzolla’s Libertango performed by Berlin Philharmonic with a group of Russian soloists.

How could I pass by one of greatest cellists of our time, Yo-Yo-Ma, playing Piazzolla’s Milonga del Angel! Listening to Yo-Yo-Ma playing PIzzolla’s tangos (there is an entire CD), I finally met my challenge.

Fruit with low sugar content? Bananas, and I just happened to have a few of them, patiently waiting in my freezer. I partially defrosted them, just enough to mash them up, using potato masher.

I whisked some aquafaba, but if you are not going completely vegan, you can use a couple of eggs instead. Grated carrots provided almost enough sweetness, but, since I use unsweetened cocoa powder – it had to be chocolate, after all! – I had to balance its bitterness with some xylitol. Spelt flour is gluten free for our purpose, but if you have an allergy to gluten or celiac disorder, do consult your physician. A pinch of cinnamon and a whole lot of walnuts, and it’s ready to be baked.Make sure your baking pan is large enough so that the batter is only 1/2 inch or so thick, otherwise you’ll have a banana loaf, rather than a galette. Do as I did, and go listen to some more glorious tango music while it is baking.

I named it Gabriela Galette, in honor of Dr Gabriela Moreno, who duly appreciated it. It’s a delicious dessert, snack, breakfast, brunch, or just a bite to make you feel the passion of Argentina – tango.

I got to see Patti LuPone live in Evita, though she’s much prettier close up. And, Oh, Al in Scent of A Woman was priceless! I will have to try the Vegan recipe. I have more and more family members going Vegan.

Lucky you! We saw her in Gypsy Rose – fantastic!
That tango scene with Al Capone’s blind general leading a woman in a graceful tango is one of my favorites! He is also quoted as saying, “When life gets tangled up, tango on!”
Thank you so much for stopping by, dear Jolie! Happy and healthy New Year to you and your family!

I took a tango lesson once and it was a lot of fun. You reminded me of it, dear Dolly, with this beautiful post. And I love that the recipe includes bananas, which are so tasty. Love to you in 2019 and always.

How interesting that nowadays tango is still considered exotic anywhere in Europe! I thought that in the 30’s it took Europe by storm – it was the rage.
Thank you for stopping by, darling.
Happy New Year!

Charlee: “Hey, our Mama and Dada do the Argentine tango!”
Chaplin: “It is Mama’s favorite dance and Dada’s second-favorite dance after Viennese waltz!”
Charlee: “Dada said we should post a link to an old video from OK Go that’s just a couple of people doing Argentine tango along a bunch of sidewalks.”
Chaplin: “Roll that OK Go video, Charlee!”

Thank you for the link, guys! Mama says this couple is fantastic! And those clothes and shoes – wow!
Hey, did you know our Mama did ballroom dancing when she was young? We think she actually won in competitions. She says Viennese waltz was a must, but she always loved the Latin division.
Pyshka: She dances when she cooks! Flamenco! Squeak!
Barmalei: Well, the music is always on when she cooks, but you are too busy stealing salad leaves, you little troublemaker!
Beba: But they are going to Salute to Vienna concert for New Year – all Viennese waltzes and stuff! Mrrr!
Happy New Year to you guys and to your Mama and Dada!

I used to watch the dance competitions and couldn’t peel myself from the tube when couples performed the tango because it was playful, sultry and sexy. The leg/footwork is amazing. A happy and healthy new year!

My favorite purple person – long time no see! Happy and healthy New Year to you and yours, dear Melinda!
Dr Moreno is a very sweet lady, and I thought she deserved a welcoming gesture.
BTW, do you like pickled veggies? Something purple is coming up soon!
Much love,
D 😻